What the South Metro Enterprise Zone Means for Your Business

Last year, a member asked us a simple question at a Chamber breakfast: "Is there any state help available for hiring?" The answer surprised her. Her business had been operating in Aurora for six years, fully within the Enterprise Zone boundary, and she had never filed for a single credit.

She's not alone. The South Metro Enterprise Zone has been active for over two decades, yet many Aurora businesses — especially smaller ones — have never taken advantage of it. The credits are real, the eligibility is broad, and the process, while requiring some upfront paperwork, is manageable.

What the program actually offers

Colorado's Enterprise Zone program provides state income tax credits to businesses that invest in economically targeted areas. For Aurora businesses in the South Metro zone, the most commonly used credits are for new employee hires and for qualified capital investments.

"She had been operating in Aurora for six years and had never filed for a single credit."

— Aurora Chamber, Government Affairs

The hiring credit alone — currently $1,100 per net new employee — can add up quickly for a growing business. A company that adds five employees in a calendar year could see $5,500 in direct state tax credits. Unlike deductions, credits reduce your tax bill dollar for dollar.

What you need to do first

The most important thing to know: you must pre-certify with the Enterprise Zone administrator before making qualifying expenditures. You can't claim a credit retroactively for a hire that happened before you registered. That's the step most businesses miss.

The Chamber serves as the certified administrator for the South Metro Enterprise Zone, which means we can walk you through the pre-certification process and verify your business address falls within the zone boundary.